Labour Cabinet Secretary nominee Alfred Mutua has publicly distanced himself from an employment agency in Eldoret embroiled in a scandal involving the alleged swindling of Ksh 400 million from Kenyans. The agency has come under intense scrutiny for its dubious recruitment practices, which reportedly promised overseas employment opportunities that never materialized.
During his appearance before the Committee on Appointments on Sunday, Mutua addressed allegations linking him to the agency, recounting a brief and incidental encounter with one of its representatives. He emphasized his lack of involvement with the agency and its operations.
“When it comes to the issues that you mentioned, I remember that we had an event at KICC, and there were different stands; the stand for foreign affairs was next to that of the Ministry of Labour, and I had never met this lady in my life, but she was the one showcasing what the Ministry of Labour had done and the program they had,” Mutua explained.
Mutua further clarified that during the event, he was tasked with introducing President William Ruto to various exhibitors, including the representative from the Ministry of Labour. “When the president came, we were told to combine the two issues at that time, and so I was introducing the president to the people who were presenting.”
“I didn’t even know her name, and she introduced herself; that is the only time I met her, and after that meeting, I have never met her again,” Mutua stated in response to allegations that he had introduced the woman, who is now central to the scandal, to the Head of State.
Commitment to Combating Rogue Agencies
Emphasizing his commitment to tackling the problem of rogue employment agencies, Mutua highlighted his past efforts as the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary. “I do not have any conflict of interest. I came to see her stories later on. When I was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I even called a meeting in light of rogue employment agencies, and it is an issue that I will be dealing with,” he asserted.
The Labour CS nominee’s comments come amid rising reports of job seekers being conned by unscrupulous recruitment firms, particularly those masquerading as providers of lucrative overseas positions.
Expanding Employment Opportunities for Kenyans
In addition to addressing fraudulent agencies, Mutua also emphasized the importance of creating genuine and dignified job opportunities for Kenyans abroad. “Kenyans don’t want handouts. They want to be given opportunities. There is a mistaken idea that many jobs out there are househelp jobs.”
“I did research, and countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, and the US are ready to employ Kenyans. For example, the international community is looking for 11,200 drivers,” he noted.
Mutua’s statements highlight his dedication to ensuring that Kenyans can access legitimate employment opportunities both locally and internationally while safeguarding them from exploitation by rogue agencies. His commitment to reforming the labor sector and enhancing job prospects for Kenyans is expected to be a key focus if his nomination is confirmed.
